UK Prime Minister May survives no-confidence vote

Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday won the backing of her fellow Conservatives to remain leader of the party after they held a confidence vote amid growing tension over Brexit negotiations.

The BBC reported that 200 out of 317 Conservative MPs delivered a vote in May’s favor. She needed a simple majority to win the vote.

May faced a no-confidence vote after 48 Conservative MPs submitted letters calling for a vote on leadership, the BBC reported, citing frustrations with her handling of the talks for Britain to leave the European Union (EU).

{mosads}After Wednesday’s vote failed, May is protected from another no confidence vote for a year. She has indicated she intends to step down ahead of the 2022 elections, the BBC reported. 

The prime minister has been at the center of the political turmoil surrounding the United Kingdom’s plans to leave the EU.

May’s government has been tasked with negotiating Brexit after the United Kingdom voted in a 2016 referendum to leave the EU. Multiple members of her Cabinet have departed in recent months, citing concerns over Brexit talks.

Earlier this week, May postponed a vote on a Brexit deal reached with the European Union after it became clear the measure would have failed. The prime minister must secure a deal ahead of the March 29 deadline for the United Kingdom to exit the EU.